Sandy Clark insists Hearts can get revenge on Celtic for 1988 Hampden defeat

Apr 12 2012 by Craig Swan

Hearts lost to Celtic in 1988 semi-final

JAMBOS legend Sandy Clark reckons the heartbreaking Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Celtic in 1988 was every bit as devastating as losing the title to the Hoops on goal difference two years earlier.

But the former Tynecastle striker is convinced Paulo Sergio's troops can make up for that Hampden anguish by beating the newly crowned SPL champions in Sunday's last-four clash at the national stadium.

Clark still grimaces as he recalls the painful events of 24 years ago when Alex MacDonald's team came within a whisker of victory only to be denied in a shattering finish.

And the similarities to this season's clash are striking.

Celtic were also chasing the Double back in their centenary season when they faced Hearts at Hampden.

And, just like this term, the Jambos had given them a few problems during the league campaign.

Brian Whittaker's second-half lob edged MacDonald's men ahead in the semi but the goal sparked furious protests from the Hoops as they felt Dave MacPherson had fouled keeper Pat Bonner when he reached up to grab the ball.

Ref Kenny Hope wasn't interested though and Clark was dreaming of ordering his cup final suit before Hearts keeper Henry Smith suffered a nightmare final three minutes.

Twice the Tynecastle No.1 fluffed crosses and twice he paid the price as Mark McGhee and Andy Walker pounced to seal a dramatic 2-1 win for Celtic.

It remains one of the most pulsating finishes to a Hampden semi-final in the competition's long history but it piled on the pain for Clark after Hearts' title misery in 1986.

Celts snatched the crown from their grasp on that dramatic final day when they beat St Mirren 5-0 and the Jambos crashed 2-0 at Dundee.

However, the Cup defeat was just as sickening and Clark insists it's now payback time for his old club.

He told Record Sport: "People always recall Hearts losing the title at Dens Park but that semi-final was just about as bad.

"At that time Hearts were competing with everyone and regularly defeating the Old Firm. We believed we could win that Scottish Cup and I genuinely felt we were going to get to the Final when we led 1-0 late on.

"It's not like we were desperate. We were quite comfortable.

"Losing the equaliser was bad enough without losing a winner into the bargain. We are a team and you do not point fingers at anyone but Henry will know he could have done a better job with the Celtic goals.

"We were so close. Having lost a semi to St Mirren in 1987 it was our chance to redress the balance.

"Looking back, having become a coach and manager myself in the subsequent years, it's only now you realise how bad Alex MacDonald must have felt. If anyone deserved to win a trophy as a manager it was Alex with Hearts and that 1988 semi-final was a chance we should have grasped."

Hearts may be lagging miles behind in the championship this season but Clark is convinced Sergio's team can upset the odds in a one-off tie.

The Portuguese coach has already tasted success over Neil Lennon this term when his team stormed to a deserved 2-0 triumph in October.

Clark knows the Hoops are a tough nut to crack and that they will be flying after clinching the title. But Kilmarnock's win over Celtic in the League Cup Final offers Hearts hope.

Clark said: "Hearts are capable of beating Celtic on their day and they've proved that already this season.

"When the back four get it right and Andy Webster and Marius Zaliukas are on their game, they are a really tough team to break down.

"Ian Black gets a lot of stick and can be his own worst enemy at times but what an exceptional midfielder he can be. He's difficult to face.

"Up top, you are looking for a spark and Craig Beattie will be a handful against his old team.

"He has settled in and his goal in the Edinburgh derby was superb. That helped to get the fans on his side.

"Rudi Skacel has also scored big goals in the past and is capable of creating as well.

"Hearts are going to have play well because Celtic are a top-class team. But Kilmarnock showed in the League Cup Final that Celtic can be beaten at Hampden and if they can do it then so can the Jambos.

"If everyone is fit and available for selection and there are no distractions, Hearts can give Celtic problems. Neil will be well aware of that."

Taken from the Daily Record